Electric-lamp lock



July 10, 1928.

s. CLEMETSON ET AL ELECTRIC LAMP LOCK Filed May 21, 1927 Giff Raamuaoen Patented July 10, 1928;.

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ELECTRIC-LAMP LOCK;

' Application filed May 21,

The invention relates to electric fixtures and more particularly to 'lamp bulbs and their sockets, and provides locking means to prevent unauthorized removal of the lamps- 6- from the sockets, either for appropriation, or to admit of .plugging into the sockets of electric devices, such as curling irons, heaters, and other electric appliances.

' The invention provides locking means' l0 which may be applied to lamp sockets and bases of ordinary construction, and which admits of the standard lamps being fitted to a socket to which the lockingdevice has been applied, as well as to admit. of. a lampprovided with the locking device beingused in connection with a standard socket.

-While the drawing illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that in adapting the means to meet specific needs and requirements the de-.

sign may be varied and such other changes inv the minor details of construction may be resorted towithin. the scope of the invention as claimed, without departing from the spirit thereof.

For a full understanding of the inven-' tion and the merits thereof, reference is to. behad to the following description and the drawing hereto attached, in which,-

Figure 1 is a side view of an electric lamp socket and base 'ortion of a lamp bulb, provided with locking means embody- ,ing the invention, parts being broken away to show more clearly the relationship of the cooperating elements. 1

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an electric lamp bulb provided with a' complemental part of the locking means.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view onthe line 33ofFigure 1.

. Figure 4 is a detail perspective 1 the base of an electric lamp bulb.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a ratchet ring which is adapted to be fitted to theibase of a lamp.

. Figure 6 is a detail perspectiveview of the lock member showing the operating key associated therewith. I

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view '0Il the line 77 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. 4

"Corresponding and like parts are referred view of toin the following description and desig-- nated in the several views of the drawings body disposed within formed with a longitudin'allly dis osed bit .applieditoi-standard sockets and :lamp bases:

1927. SerialiNo. 193,331.-

forming an outlet of a wiring system I through which current is supplied to 'astructure for lighting or other purposes. The numeral 2 designates the insulating the shell ofthe socket, and 3 represents the threaded collar which is held to the body 2 by meanspf screws 4. The collar '3 is adapted to,recei've the usual threaded base 5 of a lamp 6, or analogous part adapted to be' fitted to the socket; In accordance with the invention a=lockmember 7 is disposed'within the threaded collar 3 and is retained in place by means of the screw 4. The lock member 7 consists of a flat splitring of springmateriahsuch as tempered steel; This ring is notched upon its inner edge atdiam'etrically opposite points, as indicated at 8,-to receive the screws 4.1 v v One end 'ofthefspring: locking ring is' curved outwardly, aslindicated at 9, toprovide' a tooth for engagement with one of a series of teeth'lO provided upon the end of the lamp base 5. Oblong washers '11 are 80 mounted upon the headed-ends of the screws 4, and are confined between the heads of the screws and the spring looking ring 7 and bridge the notches 8, so as to brace and reinforce the lock member and 'preventfracture thereof at the point weakened by the notches ally from the shell of the socket about in the planeof the lock member 7 and is adapte0 ed to receive a proper key 13 which is 14 to engage theotoothed end 9 o the lock member and. effect disengagement thereof from the toothed portion 10 of the lamp base -5.

The base 5"is adapted to be provided with ratchet teeth 10 in any determinate way and v in the case of lamps already marketed 'or constructed the teethmay form part of a ring 15 which may-be soldered or otherwiseattached to the end of the basefi, The att'aching face of the ring 15 is made concave, as shown most clearly'in Figure 1, to conform to the convex surface of the base 5, the

toothed face of the ring beingfiat to con- 105 form to the inner wall or flange of the collar 3; v It willlbe understood from the foregoing that the invention is adapted'to be readily and thearrangement is suchthatanystanda ard lamp provided with the usual base may be applied to a socket to which the lock member 7 has been fitted. It isfurther observed that a lamp having its base provided with teeth 10 may be successfully used in any standard socket with, or without, the lock member '7. When a socket and lamp provided with the invention are connected substantially as indicated in Figure 1, unauthorized removal of the lamp is prevented, thereby guarding against theft of the lamp, omits removal and the use of electric c'urrent' without proper compensation. When the lamp is in position the.tooth 9 of the lock member 7 engages a tooth of the lamp 8, thereby preventing removal of the lamp from the socket. A person possessing a proper key may introduce the same into the-socket through the barrel or guide 12,

thereby bringing the bit 14 inengagement with the toothed end of. the lock member,

f whereby rotation of the key depresses the toothed end 9 and disengagcs the same from the toothed portion 10 of the lamp which may be removed from the socket in-the usual way.

Having claim:

thus describedthe invention, we

' 1. The combination with lamp socket including the usualshell, the insulating body therein,a threaded collar and'screws connecting the threaded collar 'to the body,

of a 'fiat s lit ring lock member placed against the ttom of the said collar and having portions cut away at diametrically opposite points" to receive the said screws,

enses and oblong washers mounted upon the headed ends of the screws and confined between the heads of the screws and the said lock member and serving to reinforce the latter' at the cut-away portions receiving the said screws.

2. The combination with a lamp socket including the usual shell, the insulatingbody therein, a threaded collar and screws having its end toothed and adapted to'b engaged by the said lock member.

I 3. The combination with a lamp socket and a lamp base, of a lock member, secured within the socket and comprising a split flat spring ring having a turnedup end portion adjacent the split to provide a tooth and a toothed ring fitted to, the end of the lamp'base, and having the face adjacent the base concave to conform to the convex out line of the base.-

In'testimony whereof we. aflix our signatures. f

SELMERA. CLEMETSON. [1 s.] OLUF H. RASMUSSEN. EL. 5.] 

